Pilates Reformer With an Articulated Movable Platform

ABSTRACT

Pilates reformers, and exercise apparatus, are widely used by individuals of varying levels of fitness. The moveable carriage of the reformer onto which the person is to lie supine during exercise is difficult to mount for some individuals, such as the elderly or pregnant women. A replacement for the planar one-piece carriage is disclosed that is a two-piece platform having a seat portion and a back portion that pivots with respect to the seat portion. The individual can mount the exercise apparatus on the seat portion with the inclined back portion for support. The back portion can then be lowered to a completely horizontal position or slightly inclined, depending on the needs of the individual. An articulated platform has an extendible gas spring mounted between the back portion and a support structure. The gas spring assists the individual, or a trainer, to move the back portion up.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to exercise equipment, in particular aPilates reformer.

BACKGROUND

Joseph Pilates, born in Germany in 1883 suffered from various alimentsincluding asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever and was a sickly child.Due to his parents' influence: his father being a prize-winning gymnastwho ran a gym and his mother who followed a naturopathic philosophy,believing in stimulating the body to heat itself without artificialmeans but with fresh air and exercise; and due to his internment inEngland in a camp on the Isle of Man, he developed his system ofexercise in particular for working with injured soldiers too weak to getout of bed. He initially relied on available components, such as bedframes and springs, to construct exercise equipment to maintain bothphysical and well-being for himself and the other prisoners. JosephPilates patented an exercise device in 1927, U.S. Pat. No. 1,621,477. Afigure from Pilates' patent is shown as the FIG. 1 herein. A frameincludes an upright 10 and tracks 12. A carriage 14 is provided withwheels 16 that ride on tracks 12. Not shown, but an individual may liedown on carriage 14 and move the carriage 14 thereby lifting weights 20that are coupled to carriage 14 via a rope 22 and a pulley 24. Thenumber of weights 20 that are connected controls the force required tomove carriage 20.

There are many followers of Pilates' movement. An example of a modernPilates reformer is illustrated in FIG. 2. A pair of parallel rails 32are suspended above two pedestals 34 by legs 36 which connect the one ofpedestals 34 to rails 32 at the top end of the apparatus, and legs 36which connect the other end of rails 32 to the other pedestal 34. Rails32 couple between a head end 38 and a foot end 39. A carriage 40 ismounted between and over rails 32. Carriage 40 is biased towards the topend by springs 42 connecting between a flange plate 44 between rails 32and the back end 46 of carriage 40. The top of carriage 40 is coveredwith a foam pad 50. Shoulder bumpers 52 and a headboard 54 are alsoprovided to support a recumbent user. Cords 56 are attached to carriage40 beneath headboard 54 and brought through pulleys 60 and connected tohand straps 62. Cords 56 return back towards carriage 40 to permit auser to grab straps 62 to pull carriage 40 along the rails 32 againstthe biasing force of the springs 42 thereby gaining upper body strength.Pulleys 60 are supported on adjustable posts 68.

Some individuals have trouble getting situated onto the carriage,particularly in a recumbent position even with the assistance of aninstructor. If the instructor is smaller and the participant is larger,it could lead to an injury for the instructor and/or the participant.Some participants, such as elderly people or pregnant women may not beable to, or may be restricted from, exercising in a supine position evenif they could access the recumbent position, thus preventing from suchparticipants from using the Pilates reformer.

Many hospital beds are equipped with electric motors with a controllerfor the patient to control the inclination angle of the bed. Therequirement for an outlet and power cords snaking on the floor presentdisadvantages for an exercise area. A prior art hospital bed in whichthe movement of the bed from a recumbent position is accomplishedwithout electrical power assistance is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,472,442.A gas spring is used to provide assistance in lifting the part of thebed supporting the back. When such a position for the back is accessed,the seat of the bed and the portions of the bed on which the patient'slegs sit all move in response to actuating the gas spring to raise theback, some sliding with respect to the frame and the leg portions, inparticular, raising upward with respect to the seat of the bed

SUMMARY

To overcome at least one problem in the prior art, an articulatedplatform that is compatible with standard pilates reformers isdisclosed.

A disclosed seating system for an exercise apparatus includes: a planarsupport structure and an articulated platform. The articulated platformhas a seat portion coupled to the support structure with fasteners toprevent relative movement of the seat portion with respect to thesupport structure and a back portion coupled to the seat portion with ahinge. Also included is an extendible member coupled between the backportion and one of the seat portion and the planar support structure.

In some embodiments, the hinge is a piano hinge with a first side of thepiano hinge coupled to an edge of the seat portion and a second side ofthe piano hinge coupled to an edge of the back portion.

In some embodiments, the extendible member is a gas spring. The seatingsystem also has: a first bracket coupled to the support structure and asecond bracket coupled to the back portion of the platform. A first endof the gas spring is coupled to the first bracket and a second end ofthe gas spring is coupled to the second bracket. The support structuredefines an opening to accommodate the gas spring's motion when movingbetween ends of travel.

In some embodiments, the extendible member is a gas spring having anormally-closed valve. The valve prevents the gas spring fromextending/contracting when in the normally-closed position. The valveallows the gas spring to extend/contract when the valve is open. Thesystem may further include a first end of a cable coupled to the valve,the cable being housed in a sheath, and an actuator coupled to thesecond end of the cable, which, when actuated opens the valve.

The actuator is one of a lever, a button, and a paddle.

In some embodiments, the system includes a plurality of standoffslocated between the support structure and the seat portion.

Also disclosed is an exercise apparatus that includes: a planar supportstructure and an articulated platform coupled to the support structure.The articulated platform includes a seat portion fixed to the supportstructure and a back portion coupled to the seat portion with a hinge.The articulate platform also has a gas spring coupled between the backportion and one of the seat portion and the planar support structure,the gas spring having a normally-closed valve disposed therein.

The apparatus also includes a frame having: a head end, a foot end, aleft rail having a first end coupled to a left side of the head end anda second end coupled to a left side of the foot end, and a right railhaving a first end coupled to a right side of the head end and a secondend coupled to a right side of the foot end. The apparatus also includesa plurality of wheels coupled to the planar support structure, a firstportion of the wheels sitting on the left rail and a second portion ofthe wheels sitting on the right rail.

The apparatus has a first bracket coupled to the support structure and asecond bracket coupled to the back portion. A first end of the gasspring is coupled to the first bracket and the second end of the gasspring is coupled to the second bracket. In an alternative, theapparatus has a first bracket coupled to the seat portion.

A normally-closed valve is disposed in the gas spring. The valve has anopen position in which the gas cylinder is allowed to move between anextended position and an unextended position and a closed position inwhich the gas spring is prevented from moving between the extending andunextended positions. The apparatus may include a cable having a firstend coupled to the valve and a valve actuator coupled to the second endof the cable. The valve actuator mounted on one of the seat, thecarriage, and the back portion wherein actuating the valve actuatorcauses the valve to move to open.

The hinge, in some embodiments, a piano hinge with a first side of thepiano hinge coupled to an edge of the seat portion and a second side ofthe piano hinge coupled to an edge of the back portion.

A method to fabricate an exercise apparatus includes: fabricating aplanar support structure, fabricating a seat portion, fabricating a backportion, attaching a first side of a hinge to the back portion and asecond side of a hinge to the seat portion, affixing the seat portion tothe planar support structure, and coupling a selectively, extendiblemember between the back portion and one of the support structure and theseat portion.

The method further includes: affixing a first bracket to the backportion, affixing a second bracket to the seat portion, coupling a firstend of the extendible member to the first bracket on the back portion,and coupling a second end of the extendible member to the second bracketon the seat portion.

The method may further includes affixing a first bracket to the backportion;

affixing a second bracket to the support structure, coupling a first endof the extendible member to the first bracket on the back portion, andcoupling a second end of the extendible member to the second bracket onthe seat portion.

In some embodiments, an extendible member may be a gas spring having avalve that has a closed position in which the extendible member isprevented from extending and an open position in which extension andretraction of the extendible member are allowed. A first end of a cableis coupled to the valve. An actuator is coupled to a second of thecable. The actuator is mounted on one of the seat and the back portion.When the actuator is actuated, the valve moves between open and closedpositions.

In some embodiments, a pilates reformer with a moveable carriage isprocured and the fixed platform of the moveable carriage is removed. Theplanar support structure, the articulated platform, and the extendiblemember are coupled to the moveable carriage.

In some embodiments, wheels are coupled to the planar support structure.

In some embodiments, beams are affixed to the planar support structure.A plurality of wheels is coupled to at least two of the beams.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are illustrations of prior art Pilates exercise machines;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show an articulated platform and support structure for usewith an exercise apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 5-8 show an articulated platform and support structure for usewith an exercise apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are illustrations of a gas spring; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of processes to fabricate the articulatedplatform and support structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various featuresof the embodiments illustrated and described with reference to any oneof the Figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or moreother Figures to produce alternative embodiments that are not explicitlyillustrated or described. The combinations of features illustratedprovide representative embodiments for typical applications. However,various combinations and modifications of the features consistent withthe teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for particularapplications or implementations. Those of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize similar applications or implementations whether or notexplicitly described or illustrated.

An articulated platform assembly 70 shown in a recumbent position isshown in FIG. 3. Assembly 70 has a support structure that is comprisedof four rods 72 welded together to form a rectangular frame. Tabs 74 areprovided on some of rods 72 to couple to a carriage of an exerciseapparatus. An articulated platform has a seat portion 84 and a backportion 82. Seat portion 84 is covered by a cushion 80; back portion 82is covered by a cushion 86. Seat portion A gas spring 88, shown in anunextended position, is coupled to back portion 82 via a bracket 92 andto seat portion 84 via a bracket 94. Inside gas spring 88 is anormally-closed valve (not separately shown), which when closed preventsthe gas spring 88 from moving. A paddle 96 is coupled to the valvewithin gas spring 88 via a cable 98. When paddle 96 is depressed, thevalve is opened and gas spring extends to make back portion 82 moveupward. Or, if countered with a downward force, back portion 82 movestoward a recumbent position.

In FIG. 4, the articulated platform assembly is shown without rods 72 ofthe support structure. Back portion 82 is in an inclined position, i.e.,pivoted with respect to seat portion 84. The two are coupled via a pianohinge 100 with a first portion 104 of hinge 100 coupled to an edge ofseat portion 84 and a second portion 102 of hinge 100 coupled to an edgeof back portion 82. Gas spring 88 is shown in an extend position.

Depending on the travel of gas spring 88 and the affixment points of thebrackets 92 and 94, a desired angle of inclination of back portion 82 isdesigned. A typical seat angle would be a 105 degree angle between theplane of seat portion 84 and back portion 82. In practice, the user sitson seat portion 84 with back portion 82 at an inclined angle, probablyin its most vertical position. After the user is situated, aninstructor, or other party, depresses the paddle actuator (not shown inFIG. 4) that opens a valve in gas spring 88. The weight of the user andback portion 82 may be sufficient to cause back portion to move backwardslowly. If not, the instructor can provide an additional force to causeback portion 82 and the user to recline in a controlled fashion. Whenthe desired angle is achieved, which could be fully reclined, theinstructor releases the paddle actuator so that back portion 82 remainsfixed in the desired position. When the user wishes to dismount theexercise apparatus, the instructor depresses the paddle actuator. Gasspring 88 provides an upward force, described later in more detail, dueto the pressure in the spring. The force may be insufficient to pushback portion 82 and the user up. Some modest amount of force may beapplied by the instructor to cause back portion 82 to raise up; however,such force is much less than the force required without gas spring 88.The motion of back portion 82 is controlled due to orifices within gasspring 88 that limits the rate of motion of back portion 82.

The pilates exercise apparatus onto which articulated platform assembly70 is retrofitted is an open structure. Articulated platform assembly 70can be assembled to the part of the pilates apparatus that includes thewheels that allow the platform to move with respect to the frame. Otherpilates equipment is not so openly formed. An alternative embodiment isillustrated in FIGS. 5-8.

Referring to FIG. 5, an articulated platform assembly 115 includes afixed platform 120 that has bumpers 122 and standoffs 124 extending froman upper side of fixed platform 120 (may also be called a planar supportstructure). Articulated platform 115 has a seat portion 132 that affixesto fixed platform 120 through standoffs 124 and a back portion 130. Backportion 130 and seat portion 132 couple via a hinge 134. Back portion130 has a bracket 140; fixed platform 120 has a bracket 142. A gasspring 144 is coupled between brackets 140 and 142. Gas spring 144 isshown in a partially extended position so that a section of rod 146 ofgas spring 144 is visible. Fixed platform 120 has an angle piece 126 towhich a plurality of eyebolts 127 is coupled. The eyes of the eyeboltsare used to attach a spring (not shown) between the frame (not shown)and the fixed platform 120. It is known to one skilled in the art that aplurality of springs of different strengths are used to adjust the forcethat the user must exert to move the platform. A paddle 136, oralternatively an actuator, is affixed to back portion 136 so that theinstructor can assist the user to attain the desired seat angle. Thecable between paddle 136 and gas spring 144 is now shown in FIG. 5.Bracket 142 also serves as a guard for gas spring 144 from damage. Asecond bracket can be used on the other side of gas spring 144 forprotection.

In FIG. 6, articulated platform assembly 115 shows an opening 150 infixed platform 120 to allow gas spring 144 to pass through and toaccommodate the fuel range of motion of gas spring 144 without bindingon edges around opening 150 of fixed platform 120. Fixed platform 120has a cutout 120 that provides a place for a head rest (not shown) tooccupy when seat portion 130 is recumbent. Tabs 154 that are on eitherside of cutout 120 have cleats 156 through which cords (not shown) aresecured. Cleats 156 allow quick adjustment of the length of the cords.

In FIG. 7, articulated platform assembly 115 is shown in a recumbentposition. Back portion 130 has tabs 158 onto which shoulder bumps (notshown) are installed. An adjustable head rest (also not shown) isprovided on back portion 130 in the region of cutout 152.

In FIG. 8, articulated platform assembly 115 is shown from an undersidein an articulated position. Angle piece 126 and a back side of theplurality of eyebolts are more readily visible as is paddle 136 on tab156 of back section 130. Articulated platform assembly 115, in FIG. 8,is shown with beams 160 attached on either side of fixed platform 120and wheels 162 coupled at each end of beams 160. In an alternativeembodiment, more wheels along beams 160 can be provided.

Referring to FIG. 9, a gas spring 200 is illustrated in cross section.Gas spring 200 has a housing 202 with a plunger 208. Plunger 208 has apiston portion that extends across housing 202 and a rod portion 210that extends outside housing 202. Plunger 208 has a few holes 212 aroundthe periphery. A valve 206 has a portion that extends through the rodportion of plunger 208 and a sealing portion that abuts plunger 208 inFIG. 9. That is, the sealing portion of valve 206 presses against theopening in plunger 208 thereby preventing flow through holes 212. Thepressure in volumes 214 and 216 are above atmospheric pressure(atmosphere 218). Valve 206 is subjected to atmospheric pressure at theupper tip and the higher pressure of volume 216 across the sealingportion. Due to the unequal pressures, the sealing portion is pushedagainst plunger 208. In such a configuration shown in FIG. 9, plunger208 is prevented from moving.

Referring now to FIG. 10, valve 206 has been pushed downward, as shownby a force, F1, exerted on valve 206. This allows flow around thesealing portion of valve 206 through orifices 212. Now plunger 208 isfree to move. If as is shown in FIG. 10, plunger 208 is pusheddownwards, by a force, F2, such as by weight of a user and/or applied byan instructor, gases flow from volume 216 to volume 214, plunger 208moves downward. If there is no such force or the seat portion is beingurged upwards, plunger 208 moves upward and flow in the oppositedirection than shown in FIG. 10, i.e., from volume 214 to volume 216.The cross-sectional area on the top of plunger 208 that is subjected toatmospheric pressure is much less than the cross-sectional area of theplunger portion of plunger 208 that extends across housing 202. If noforce were exerted on plunger 208, when valve 206 is open, plunger 208would move upward.

A method to fabricate an articulated platform is shown in FIG. 11. Inblock 300, a planar support structure or fixed platform is fabricated.In block 302, a seat portion of an articulated platform is articulated.In block 304, a back portion of the articulated platform is articulated.A first side of a hinge is attached to the back portion and a secondside of the hinge is attached to the seat portion in block 306. In block308, a first bracket is coupled to the back portion and a second bracketis coupled to the support structure, in some embodiments. In otherembodiments, the second bracket is coupled to the seat portion. In block310, the seat portion of the articulated platform is coupled to theplanar support structure (fixed platform). In block 312, a gas spring iscoupled between the first and second brackets. In block 314, a paddle,or other actuator such as a pushbutton, are coupled to the back portionof the articulated platform. In other embodiments, the actuator isaffixed to the planar support structure. In block 316, one end of thecable is coupled to a valve in the gas spring and the other end of thecable is coupled to the paddle or actuator. In block 318, accessoriessuch as shoulder bumpers, a head rest, and cushions are installed on theseat portion (cushion only) and the back portion.

In embodiments where the articulated platform is retrofitted, FIG. 11shows procuring a standard pilates reformer, a model that is commonlyavailable on the market, that has a fixed platform in block 330. Thefixed platform of the standard is removed from the carriage of thereformed in block 332. In block 340, the articulated platform assemblyis installed/retrofitted into the procured pilates reformer.

The order of operations shown in FIG. 11 is non-limiting. They can beperformed in other orders than shown here. Some operations shown in FIG.11 are not performed in some embodiments; and, additional operations notshown in FIG. 11 may be added without departing from the spirit of thedisclosure.

The embodiments of an articulated platform in FIGS. 3-8 are described interms of retrofitting an existing exercise apparatus. The supportstructure can be coupled to a moveable carriage of the exerciseapparatus with modification, e.g., replacing the fixed platform thatcomes from the pilates reformer with an articulated platform. In somealternatives, an exercise apparatus is built with an articulatedplatform instead of the prior art fixed platform. In other embodiments,the exercise apparatus, which is purchased with a fixed platform isdisassembled so that an articulated platform can be installed betweenthe rails of the exercise apparatus. In such embodiments, thearticulated platform can be affixed to the movable carriage directlyobviating the support structure.

While the best mode has been described in detail with respect toparticular embodiments, those familiar with the art will recognizevarious alternative designs and embodiments within the scope of thefollowing claims. While various embodiments may have been described asproviding advantages or being preferred over other embodiments withrespect to one or more desired characteristics, as one skilled in theart is aware, one or more characteristics may be compromised to achievedesired system attributes, which depend on the specific application andimplementation. These attributes include, but are not limited to: cost,efficiency, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability,appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability,ease of assembly, etc. The embodiments described herein that arecharacterized as less desirable than other embodiments or prior artimplementations with respect to one or more characteristics are notoutside the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for particularapplications.

We claim:
 1. A seating system for an exercise apparatus, comprising: aplanar support structure; an articulated platform having: a seat portioncoupled to the support structure with fasteners to prevent relativemovement of the seat portion with respect to the support structure; anda back portion coupled to the seat portion with a hinge; an extendiblemember coupled between the back portion and one of the seat portion andthe planar support structure.
 2. The seating system of claim 1 whereinthe hinge is a piano hinge with a first side of the piano hinge coupledto an edge of the seat portion and a second side of the piano hingecoupled to an edge of the back portion.
 3. The seating system of claim 1wherein the extendible member is a gas spring, the seating systemfurther comprising: a first bracket coupled to the support structure;and a second bracket coupled to the back portion of the platformwherein: a first end of the gas spring is coupled to the first bracketand a second end of the gas spring is coupled to the second bracket; andthe support structure defines an opening to accommodate the gas spring'smotion when moving between ends of travel.
 4. The seating system ofclaim 1 wherein: the extendible member is a gas spring having anormally-closed valve; the valve prevents the gas spring fromextending/contracting when in the normally-closed position; and thevalve allows the gas spring to extend/contract when the valve is open,the seating system further comprising: a first end of a cable coupled tothe valve, the cable being housed in a sheath; and an actuator coupledto the second end of the cable, which, when actuated opens the valve. 5.The seating system of claim 4 wherein the actuator is one of a lever, abutton, and a paddle.
 6. The seating system of claim 1, furthercomprising: a plurality of standoffs located between the supportstructure and the seat portion.
 7. An exercise apparatus, comprising: aplanar support structure; an articulated platform coupled to the supportstructure, the articulated platform having a seat portion fixed to thesupport structure and a back portion coupled to the seat portion with ahinge; and a gas spring coupled between the back portion and one of theseat portion and the planar support structure, the gas spring having anormally-closed valve disposed therein.
 8. The exercise apparatus ofclaim 7, further comprising: a frame having: a head end, a foot end, aleft rail having a first end coupled to a left side of the head end anda second end coupled to a left side of the foot end, and a right railhaving a first end coupled to a right side of the head end and a secondend coupled to a right side of the foot end; a plurality of wheelscoupled to the planar support structure, a first portion of the wheelssitting on the left rail and a second portion of the wheels sitting onthe right rail.
 9. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, furthercomprising: a first bracket coupled to the support structure; and asecond bracket coupled to the back portion, wherein a first end of thegas spring is coupled to the first bracket and a second end of the gasspring is coupled to the second bracket.
 10. The exercise apparatus ofclaim 9, further comprising: a first bracket coupled to the seatportion; and a second bracket coupled to the back portion, wherein afirst end of the gas spring is coupled to the first bracket and thesecond end of the gas spring is coupled to the second bracket.
 11. Theexercise apparatus of claim 9 wherein: a normally-closed valve isdisposed in the gas spring; the valve has: an open position in which thegas cylinder is allowed to move between an extended position and anunextended position; and a closed position in which the gas spring isprevented from moving between the extended and unextended positions, theexercise apparatus further comprising: a cable having a first endcoupled to the valve; and a valve actuator coupled to the second end ofthe cable, the valve actuator mounted on one of the seat, the carriage,and the back portion wherein actuating the valve actuator causes thevalve to move to open.
 12. The seating system of claim 9 wherein thehinge is a piano hinge with a first side of the piano hinge coupled toan edge of the seat portion and a second side of the piano hinge coupledto an edge of the back portion.
 13. A method to fabricate an exerciseapparatus, comprising: fabricating a planar support structure;fabricating a seat portion; fabricating a back portion; attaching afirst side of a hinge to the back portion and a second side of a hingeto the seat portion; affixing the seat portion to the planar supportstructure; and coupling a selectively, extendible member between theback portion and one of the support structure and the seat portion. 14.The method of claim 13, further comprising: affixing a first bracket tothe back portion; affixing a second bracket to the seat portion;coupling a first end of the extendible member to the first bracket onthe back portion; and coupling a second end of the extendible member tothe second bracket on the seat portion.
 15. The method of claim 13,further comprising: affixing a first bracket to the back portion;affixing a second bracket to the support structure; coupling a first endof the extendible member to the first bracket on the back portion; andcoupling a second end of the extendible member to the second bracket onthe seat portion.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein: the extendiblemember is a gas spring having a valve; the valve has a closed positionin which the extendible member is prevented from extending and an openposition in which extension and retraction of the extendible member areallowed; a first end of a cable is coupled to the valve; an actuator iscoupled to a second of the cable; the actuator is mounted on one of theseat and the back portion; and when the actuator is actuated, the valvemoves between open and closed positions.
 17. The method of claim 13,further comprising: procuring a pilates reformer with a moveablecarriage; removing a fixed platform from the moveable carriage; andcoupling the planar support structure, the articulated platform, and theextendible member to the moveable carriage.
 18. The method of claim 13,further comprising: coupling wheels to the planar support structure. 19.The method of claim 13, further comprising: affixing beams to the planarsupport structure; and coupling a plurality of wheels to at least two ofthe beams.
 20. The method of claim 13, further comprising: affixing acushion to the back portion; affixing a cushion to the seat portion; andaffixing shoulder bumpers to the back portion.